The Aberdare Times

(@nr Ronton Comsgoubcut fWe deem ft right to state that we do not at all Hlml mntify ounelves with our Correspondent's opinions. J At last it would seem as if we had turned the corner of our unusually long winter, and that spring was fairly within sight, ft is a season which has been sung by poets Of all the ages as that most delightful to the human race. The earliest English song, the words and music of which have been handed down to us, is that beginning Spring-tide is y-cumen in and it needs no large store of literary knowledge to remember many a verse from our older poets celebrating the season which parts summer from the snow and ice of winter. Chaucer's immortal poem has its scene laid in the spring, for the very first lines-" When that Aprilles with his schowres swoote, The droughte of March had perced to the roote"—indicates with precision the time of year the father of English poetry had in his mind. It cannot be all pretence, all affectation, all desire to be in the fashion that has led to so many celebrations of spring. The very name of the season has a refreshing sound; it tells of an uprising of nature after the winter's sleep, of the growth of trees and flowers and luscious fruits, of the pairing of birds, and of the first smiling of earth towards harvest. The dweller on the countryside sees a thousand evidences of this quickening into life; the dull earth, furrowed with the plough, and staring blankly at the sky, becomes covered with verdure, the woods, silent in winter but for the crack of the sportsman's gun and the barking of the dogs, are now melodious with Nature's songsters, and growth and vitality are visible on every side. It is with something of an envious pang that a dweller in town thus paints the delights of springtime in the country. He knows the songsters of the grove only as they appear in cages; the growth of the corn is to him evident only in market reports; and there are for him none of the keen delights of watching Nature put on her new garment. To the townsman, in fact, spring often presents itself not as the most delight- ful, but as the most treacherous of seasons. It is a time of east winds and unex- pected showers, and although he may try to comfort himself with the old distich that, March winds and April showers bring forth May flowers," the comfort does not greatly avail when colds are taken as the result of these visitations. The prolonged spell of east wind to I which we have lately been subject has strengthened the old feeling of antipathy towards it. From the Princess of Wales down through a long list of persons, the east wind has had an evil effect upon health; and medical men tell us that it has peculiarly irritating qualities, which most of us had discovered for ourselves, but which we had not known how to put into learned language. But whether the'language was learned or not, it was certainly strong it its condemnation; and even those who have not suffered greatly under the recent infliction will join with those who have been victims in hoping that we have seen the last, for this spring at least, of any prolonged visit of the east wind. Easter this year falls at a later date than has been the case for a very long time, and it will not fall so lat^ again until most of those now living are numbered with the dead. One con- sequence of this will be that three of the four statutory Bank Holidays will come within a very little larger compass than three months. Easter Monday is on April 26, Whit Monday on June 14, and Lammas Monday—the first Mon- day in August—on August 2. There is thus a better chance this year than usual that good weather will attend the public holidays, for when Easter and Whitsuntide fall so very early, as they sometimes do, unsettled atmospheric con- ditions are often their accompaniment. Every well-wisher of his kind, though he may not par- ticipate in Bank Holiday amusements himself, should hope for good weather on the statutory days. If he thinks of the hundreds of thousands to whom these holidays are a definite and very real pleasure, of the eager expectation with which they have been awaited, and of the keen disappointment which is caused if anytliing unto- ward occurs to mar the day he :cannot but wish for propitious weather. There is no more miserable spectacle that one of our large towns on a wet bank holiday. Thousands of folk have poured in from the adjacent country, and they wander in the rain up and down the streets, already of an unusually bleak appearance because of the shutting of the shops, wearily waiting for rain to cease and the day to end. Such an out- ing is provocative of bad temper, ill-health, and even worse evils; and the harshest cynic could not wish a more unhappy fate for his fellows than that their efforts at enjoyment should thus be turned into bitterness. To dwellers in London and the home counties the Easter holiday always suggests a volunteer review, and although this year, in accordance with the custom which has in late times grown up, there will be HO such vast gathering of the auxiliary force at Brighton, Dover, or Ports- mouth as of yore, there will still be certain manoeuvres undertaken in the neigh- bourhood of the metropolis, which will irive our volunteers an opportunity for bettering their knowledge of actual military works. It used to be objected to the Easter reviews, that they were mere picnics, mere pieces of show which could lead to no practical good. This was altogether an exaggerated view, but it contained a sufficiently large grain of truth to make it worth attention. No one will contend, however, that the Easter manoeuvres which are undertaken in these days are of the nature of picnics, or that they do not lead to any practical end. Under existing conditions the volunteers do not travel by train in the morning to the place of review, and return by the same means at night; they march for days beforehand, bivouac as best they can, throw out their vanguard, and post their rear guard as if marching through an enemy's country and, on the day of review, are not content with the shadowest of sham fights, to be followed by a showy march- past, but they undertake operations which a few years ago would have been thought impossible for volunteers to attempt, much more to accom- plish. This is the kind of training which will make the auxiliary force a real help to the regular army; and it, and all who participate in it, deserve the heartiest encouragement. One consequence of Easter falling so late this year is that the old date at which the University Boat Race was accustomed to be rowed has had to be changed. Years ago it was so regular a thing for the race to be held on the Saturday immediately preceding Good Friday, that it would have been looked upon as something little, if at all, short of heresy for it to be rowed on any other date. But the custom was broken through in 1883, because of the fog which came down like a thick pall over the river, and caused the postponement of the struggle from the Saturday to the Thursday; and again in 1884, when, owing to the Duke of Albany's death, it was rowed on a Monday. As Easter fell so very late this year, it was resolved to have the race some weeks instead of one week before that date. It cannot be said that the change or, in fact, the race itself, attracts as much attention from the general public as once it would have done. Londoners always like an ex- cuse for a holiday, and, as long as the race is in existence to furnish them with that excuse, so long will it be patronised by a large section of the community. But the immense crowds which used to line the banks are now no more. For- merly, as soon as the crews put in an appearance on London waters, throngs used to gather daily on the towpath to watch their practice, and the newspapers had a colump each day in description of the varying weight and style of every man. All that is changed now; we no longer wax delirious over the acquatic performances of the sixteen young men from the Universities; and, though the race is still popular, it is popular within reasonable limits, and London does not annually break into a blue fever which once used to render it almost ridiculous as every spring came round. A very important decision, which affects all who ever have occasion to send a valuable animal by train, has just been given in the superior courts. It appears that a gentleman recovered £60 in a county court from one of our great railway companies for injuries to a grey- hound, although the value of the dog was not declared, and a special assurance rate not paid upon it. The company did not acquiesce in the decision—and, as a matter of fact, it is very seldom that a company does acquiesce when the decision is adverse—and it carried the matter to the Queen's Bench. There two judges held that their lesser brother of the county court was in the wrong, and they accordingly reversed the decision, upon the ground that the company were not responsible as common carriers in the conveyance of valuable animals. It does not need many words to show the import- ance of this ruling to the public; and although, as a general thing, popular feeling is not on the side of the railway companies when there is a question of litigation, not many will be found to dispute that this ruling is in accordance with common sense. If a person sends a valuable animal by train it ought to be assured against accident, or a rail- way company might be subject to many claims and much imposture. An animal stands in de- cidedly a different category to a human being, and if would not be fair to apply the same prin- ciple to both. There are so many people who are fond of oysters that the information which has just been vouchsafed to the effect that, despite the recent exceptionally severe weather, the young oysters that were laid down on the Whitstable fisheries during February and the early part of the present month, do not appear to have suffered any harm, will come as an agreeable piece of news. For years there has been a periodical scare of an oyster famine, and lovers of the luscious bivalve," as some of its admirers call it, have been sorely distressed lest the rumours of a fail- ing supply might prove well-founded. The im- portation of foreign oysters has done something to diminish the fear, but to the connoisseur none but natives are truly acceptable. The trade in American oysters is, however, so brisk that the price of natives has been forced down to a point which not long since would have seemed impoHbly low. Best natives, for instance, which twelve months ago were realising eighteen shillings per hundred, are now fetching only eijjht; and though this may be good news for oVster-lovers. the people of Whitstable are by no means as well pleased. But one may hope that an increased supply may compensate these worthy folk for a decreased price, and then fishers and eaters will be equally content. A. F. R.

PROSPECTS OF THE CHURCH OF IRELAND. The Record publishes a number of opinions ob- tained from the beneficed clergy of the Church of Ireland in answer to the following questions addressed to them by circular on February 22 of the present year :—" 1. Is boycotting more or less prevalent since Lord Salisbury's resignation ? To what extent does it exist in your pariah ? 2. Do you consider the con- dition of the Church of Ireland to be worse or better than it was five years ago and especially how has it been affected by the land agitation—(a) materially; (li) spiritually ? These inquiries were addressed to the 740 beneficed clergymen in the three provinces of Munster, Leinster, and Connaugut, and 460 replies hale been received. In reference to boycotting, the answers received by the Record yield the following statistics Boycottiug.-314 separate instances of recent boy- cotting, most of them during the lapt few weeks, have been reported to us. In 210 parishes in the three southern provinces boycotting is in active existence at the present moment to a greater or less degree, while in no less than 37 parishes boycotting is said to have increased since Mr. Gladstone became Prime Minister." The following are a few of the numerous replies bearing on the prospects of the Church as likely to be affected by a Land Purchase or Home Rule scheme: "Is public opinion in England so ignorant as not to know that the Church of Ireland is, and has been for 16 years, a voluntary Church, and that in three-fourths of Ireland its chief support comes from the landed gentry ? That for six years the incessant land agitation has crippled the means of the gentry, while the British Parliament has by its legislation in 1870 and 1881 aided that- crippling, and is now preparing to give the coup de grace to the Irish gentry ? Is it necessary for me to add that, as far as human agency can do it, the coup de grace will pari passu be given to the parochial machinery of the Church of Ireland ? In country parishes at least two- thirds of the contributions for church purposes are given by the landlords, and any scheme for their ex- propriation will certainly have the effect of driving many of them from the country, since the tie con- necting them will be severed, and unless the scheme for purchasing their interest is a liberal one, the majority of them will be so seriously impoverished that they will be unable to continue the same support to the church funds that they have been giving in the past. Many churches will have to be closed, or parishes united and the number of clergy reduced, which, of course, means a loss to the efficient working of the church, and in outlying districts the scattered Protestant population will probably be gradually absorbed among the Roman Catholics. If the land- lords go, the Church cannot hold on in country parishes. In this parish they contribute about three- quarters of the annual assessment for its mainten- ance. Even with reduced rents, the Protestant tenant farmers do not seem inclined to contribute more than before, or to make up for the reduction in landlords' subscriptions.' If the landlords are bought out, I estimate that in strictly country pares three-fourths of our churches must be closed, or only used for occasional services. If only the "prairie value is accorded to landlords (as will undoubtedlv be the case should Home Rule be granted), the large sums (nearly £ 4,000,000) in- vested on the security of Irish land by the represen- tative Church body out of the commutation capital of the Irish Church will be lost. The invested funds of the Irish Church being largely lent to landlords as a first mortgage charge on landed property are ia danger, through the withholding of the rents from the landlords and the general depreciation in the value of land. Great apprehension is felt in respect to the large amount of money (over £ 3,000,000) lent out to landlords, &c., by the representative body at 4 per cent. How can they pay the interest if the' No Rent' cry continues, and what then will be the state of the country clergy and of the parishes with which they are connected ?

THE ROVING HINDOO: Next to the miraculously sudden abandonment of exclusivenesa by the Japanese, the greatest Asiatic marvel of modern times is the craving for foreign travel which has come over the high caste Hindoo. It is not so many years since the Kala Panee was regarded with horror and dread by these aristocrats. while any long residence in England gave a sort of heroic character to the performer. Now, on the ] contrary, even Europe at large does not satisfy the travelling aspirations of the well-born Indian. We should, above all thing3, visit America," is the pro- nouncement of a native paper, which especially re- presents this class. Why America? Because "wo shall there breathe a freer atmosphere than in Europe." Perhaps the social atmosphere of Texas, which is said to be largely im- pregnated with cowboys and bowie-knives, might he found rather too stimulating by the gentle Hindoo. We should give up our home-staying propensities," continues the oracle, as they have the effect of nar- rowing our faculties and stunting our intellectual development." That is true, of course, although there may possibly be some grounds for the opinion of stay-at-home Hindoos that the intellectual develop- ment of the wanderers too often takes the form of overweening conceit. The 011 school will, however, be shortly thrust aside to give place to the new and more enterprising generation, and then, perhaps, we may see the slim Bengali youth making a voyage to the North Pole, in the hope of broadening his facul- ties to the utmost possible extent.

A PRE-HISTORIC AMERICAN HOUSE, Major Powell, chief of the United States Geological Survey, has discovered in New Mexico, near California Mountain, what he pronounces to be the oldest human habitation upon the American continent. The mountains in this vicinity," says the Santa F6 New Mexican, are covered with huge beds of lava, in which the pre-historic man and his comrades have excavated square rooms, which were lined with a species of plaster made from the lava, and in these rooms were found various evidences of an advanced civilisation, among them being a species of cloth made of woven hair, and a large number of pieces of pottery. In the cides of the rooms, cupboards and shelves were excavated. In a little concealed niche there was discovered a small figure, resembling a man, done up in a closely-woven fabric, which, with the touch of the hand turned ^o dust. It was blackened and crisp like the mummy cloths of Egypt. In all, some 60 groups of these lava villages were found, there being about 20 houses in each group. The evidences of civilisation were similar to, but removed by their condity and want of skill a considerable distance from the articles found in the cliff houses, which have been very fully des- cribed in the reports of the Geological Survey."

"Clara," said Charles, "did poor little Carl have a pink ribbon round his neck when you lost him ?" Yes, yes, the little dear," replied Clara 11 have you seen him ? No, not exactly; but here's a piece of pink ribbon in the sausage." It is quite fashionable to put an aigrette in the coiffure when it is arranged high upon the head," read Mrs. Pugmire from the fashion notes of her Vermont paper. "Well, well! 'pollyvoo everything about cooking nowadays," said she. I always put an egg in the coffee to settle it, except sometimes in winter, when they're so everlasting high, and then I use a piece of codfish skin. I don't understand what is meant, though, by arranging the coffee on the head, unless it's the head of a barrel." They had just returned home, when the wife said to her husband: I've lost one of my overshoes some- where between here and the church. Now, you hurry right back, and look along in the snow for it, and don't you return without bringing it with you." After searching up and down for an hour or so, the husband returned with the information that he could net, find it. "Of course you could not, stupid," snapped the wife. I searched diligently for it, I assure you, ex- claimed the husband. I suppose so, but you might as well go to bed." "But how about the rubber?" "Oh, I found it." "Where was it?" "Why, I put them both oa one foot, and did not notice it until I was removing ray shoes." A peddler of tinware in one of the mountain coun ties of this State called at a farmhouse the other day, where the woman wanted to sell a bear skin. Tain t worth no great shakes," said the peddler, after hook- ing it over. The b'ar was killed too soon. How much ?" asked the woman. About 75 cents." "See here, stranger," she continued, as she gave the skin a rub, when I tell you that this 'ere b'ar clawed up my husband to death less'n two months ago, and that I'm still a grieving widder woman, can't you make the price a dollar?" Being a man of sentiment and tin- ware combined, he said he couk1

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. SUNDAY OPENING. In the HousE OF LoRDS, March 19, Lord Thurlow moved his resolution for opening the British Museum and the National Gallery on Sundays. He pointed out that many similar institutions in various parts of the country were opened on Sundays, and supported his proposal in the interests of religion and education, and on the ground that the working classes desired it. He argued that the question of expense ought not to be taken into consideration, and that the danger of extra labour being imposed on the custodians of these collec- tions had been much exaggerated. The proposal was supported by over 200 London clergymen, and he believed that more than half the clergy in the metropolis and all the Roman Catholic clergy ap- proved it. — Viscount Midleton moved an amend- ment to the effect that it was not desirable to open the national art collections on Sundays. He argued that as this motion, if carried, would in- volve the consideration of financial proposals, it ought properly to be first dealt with by the House of Commons, and that the working classes, as shown in the views of their rapresentatives in Parliament and out of it, were opposed to the boon sought to be con- ferred.—L?rd B ram well, in supporting the motion, examined the objections raised by the previous speaker, and contended tnat the English people were alone in Christendom in observing Sunday as at present. He was anxious to have a day of rest, on wnich there should be a cessation of labour, but that the day should be devoted to rational enjoyment and amusemeut.- The Earl of Harrowby opposed the motion, which he held would be a serious onslaught on the Day of Rest, and argued that it was distasteful to the majority of wo king men.-Earl Granville supported the motion, regarding it as an entirely non-party question.—On a division the resolution was carried by 76 to 62. Some othei business was disposed of,-and their lord- ships adjourned at five minutes to seven o'clock. THE IRISH POLICY OF THE GOVEBNMENT. In the HousE OF COMMONS, Sir M. H. Beach- I bag to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether, as the most urgent matters of Supply will probably be disposed of by Monday next, be can now state when he will be in a condition to make that further indication to the House as to the whole, or some part, of the proposals of her Majesty's Government for dealing with the ques- tion of the state of Ireland, which, on the 18th of February, he hoped to be able to give by the 22nd of March. Mr. Gladstone: The terms used by the right hon. gentlemen are not, I think, quite precisely accurate. On referring to my words I find that I said that after the votes in Supply had been concluded, for which I named the 22nd as the probable day-the necessary day—by that time I should be able, I hoped, to make some announcement to the House. I have no change to make in the statement that I then made before the House, and next week I hope to name a day for the purpose of redeeming the pledge I then gave (Hear, hear.) Perhaps I may be permitted to repeat the caution which I ventured to impress upon the House, and recommend that with regard to current rumours upon matters the truth of which it is impossible to make known at the present time without breach of honourable engagements- that with regard to current matters, they should exer- lcise a prudent reserve, and even, I would venture to say, a wholesome scepticism. (Cheers and laughter.) There is only one other word that I have to say, which is this-it would be a comparatively simple proceeding for myself and for my eolleagues if we had nothing to do but to announce a day when a statement could be made in a speech to the House; but it would be, I think, most unsatisfactory to the House if on any particular day I were to rise and make a state- ment, and we were not able to inform the House at the same time that a bill for giving effect to that statement bad been drawn, and would be very promptly in the hands of the House. (Rear, hear.) It is quite evident that a statement of itself might be important, and may be interesting, notwith- standirg the defects of the speaker—(laughter)—but it cannot form an authentic basis for the judgment of the House. The drawing of bills upon subjects such as may be in prospect is a matter of considerable delicacv as well as importance, and matters cannot be hurried beyond a certain point. I can assure the House, how- ever, that since I spoke I can really say with truth that not a day has been lost. (Hear, hear.) Sir M. H. Beach: Will the right hon. gentleman be in a position to answer the question on Monday ? (Cries ot No, no.) I will also ask what business will be taken on Thursday next. Mr. Gladstone: I cannot add anything to what I have said—that < ne day next week I will name a day. On Thursday next we propose to take—as it is a measure of really urgent importance, which has already been delayed-namely, the Scottish Crofters Bill. (Hear, hear.) SUPPLY. On going into Supply, Mr. Gregory drew attention to the position of trustees, executors, and others liable to the payment of duties to the Crown, and, seconded by Mr. Dodds, moved a resolution declaring that a limitation in point of time should be applicable to liabilities for duties to the Crown.—Mr. H. Fowler re- sisted the motion, contending that a Statute of Limi- tations in this matter would be an incentive to fraud and a premium to carelessness on the part of executors, would affect the whole arrangement of the death duties, and injure the revenue without advantage to the general public.-Sir R. Webster was of opinion that all those evil consequences might be easily guarded against, and that justice demanded that there should be some limitation commencing when the legacies Irecame payable.—Mr. Gladstone, who agreed that the claim was payable.—Mr. Gladstone, who agreed that the claim was an equitable one, promised that if the subject were brought forward in a substantive manner the Govern- ment would give it a fair and candid consideration.- Sir M. Hicks-Beach admitted the difficulties involved in the question, and thought that the proposed limita- tion in all caoes might lead to fraud, althouah he would willingly agree to a modification of the existing law.- Mr. Warmington suggested that the present law with regard to legacy duties should be made applicable to succession duty, which, he said, would meet the objec- tions raised and, after a few words from Mr. L. Cohen, the motion was withdrawn.—Mr. Richard next moved his resolution declaring that it was unjust and inex- pedient to embark in war, contract engagements involv- ing grave responsibilities for the nation, and add terri- tories to the Empire without the knowledge and con- sent of Parliament. Mr. Rylands seconded the motion.—Mr. Gladstone, who remarked that he had always regarded the subject with sympathy, agreed that tho powers of the Executive Government should be exercised with due regard to the feeling of Parliament and the country, but pointed out that the three cases dealt with in the motion were entirely distinct, and the considerations in the 'one did not apply to the others. As to annexation, it was always within the power of Parliament to reverse any Act. As to treatises, they had in the main been made during a long series of years, with the assent of the nation. With regard to embarking in war without the consent of Parliament, he pointed out that the resolution aimed at warlike operations, and he instanced the Slidell and Mason dispute and the Lorcha Arrow war with China, as cases which showed the impossibility of the Execu- tive Government waiting to obtain the consent of Parliament before beginning warlike operations.— Lord R. Churohill agreed in the main with Mr. Gladstone's argument, but characterised the reso- lution as thoroughly unpractical and purposeless. The engagements with the Ameer of Afghanistan, with the Khedive, and with the Powers relating to Greece were engagements governing our foreign policy which might at any time involve this country in war, and he chal- lenged the Radical party, if they were sincere and in earnest, to bring forward a substantial resolution re- pudiating those engagements.—Mr. O. Morgan, Mr. Boyd Kinnear, Mr. Oossham, Sir J. Pease, Mr. Illingworth, and Mr. Oremer spoke in support of the motion, and Mr. Spicer opposed it.—Mr. Bryce main- tained that the danger foreshadowed in the resolution was not so real as was supposed, and that practically war was never engaged in without the consent of Parliament. lie appealed to Mr. Richard to withdraw his motion, which he declined to do. On a division being taken, the motion that the Speaker leave the chair was nega- tived by 112 to 108, and on Mr. Richard's motion being put as the substantive question, it was negatived in its turn by 115 to 109. The result was received with much laughter and cheering: The Labourers (Ireland) Act Amendment Bill passed through Committee, and the Mairiages (Hours of Solemnisation) Bill was read a second time. Some other bills were advanced a stage, and The House adjourned at 25 minutes past 12 o'clock. LAW OF EVIDENCE BILL. In the HOUSE OF LORDS, March 22, in Committee upon a clause moved by Lord Halsbury to provide that no prisoner called as a witness should be compelled to answer any questions showing that he had been con- victed of any other offence than that with which he was then charged was, by 16 votes to 9, added to the bill, which was then passed through Committee. The Justices' Jurisdiction Bill also passed through Com- mittee, and the Glebe Loans (Ireland) Acts Amend- ment Bill was read a third time and passed. Their lordships rose at a quarter to eight o'clock. NOTICE OF MOTION. In the HOUSE OF COMMONS Notice of Motion was given by Lord Randolph Churchill. On consideration of the Lords' maasage relating to the appointment of a joint committee upon the government of India he would move that a message be sent to the House of Lords to acquaint tne'ri that in the opinion of the House of GomniCffcte it is tnost desirable that the inquiry into the operation et the various statutes constituting the government of India should be concluded within a reasonable time, and that, therefore, it would be well that the joint committee should not be composed of more than 14 members. THE WITHDRAWAL OF TROOPS FROM THE SOUDAN. In reply to Mr. W. H. Smith, Mr. Campbell-Banner- man stated that her Majesty's Government had decided upon their riapobsibiUty. that British troops should be withdrawn from the posts they had occupied on the Nile Railway to Asedtaatt, leaving Wady Halla to be occupied by Egyptian troops. THE OCCUPATION OF MASSOWAH. Mr. Bryce informed,Mr. Cowen that no arrangement had been made with the Italian Government for the permanent occupation of Massowah or for keeping the peace of the Soudan in the event of the British forces leaving Souakim. THE VOLUNTEER CAPITATION GRANT. On the oder for going into Committee cf Supply on the Army Estimates, Mr. Howard Vincent mo- ed a resolution in favour of an immediate increase in .the present volunteer capitation grant. This, he contended, was absolutely and urgently necessary for the thorough efficiency, maintenance, and development of the volun- teer force. Under the present arrangement the greatest difficulty existed in obtaining suitable men to accept I commissions, and the force, in fact, was kept back by a false and petty economy. He suggested that the capitation grant should be increased by 10s., or in all £ 100,000. Sir E. Hamley advocated a more generous treatment of the volunteer force, which in his view was a great defensive army that Oontinental countries looked upon with envy. Mr. Gladstone, with much warmth, protested against the House of Commons forcing upon a Minister, in- dependently of his own judgment, an increase of the public burdens. The Secretary for War had received a deputation, to whom he had promised an examination of the snt-iect in terms which made it not unlikely that he might himself make some proposal of the character of that now submitted to the House. But he asked that the matter should Ke left free for examination by tte executive Government, and he denounced the attempt to tamper with the principles of sound finance. For his own part, Mr. Gladstone declined to accept orders from the representatives of the people sent there in order to diminish the public charges for an increase of those charges. Sir M. Hicks-Beach expressed surprise at the extra- ordinary and uncalled for nature of the right hon. gentleman's reply to the motion. The motion would be a measure of extremely sound finance, by adding to the efficiency of the cheapest military force that any country possessed. It involved no interference with the functions of the Executive power, and he contended that it was the duty of the House to consider a matter of this sort, and, if it considered a change necessary, to recommend it to her Majesty's Government. After some observations by the Chancellor of the Exchequer and Mr. J. H. A. Macdonald, Mr. Campbell-Bannerman objected to the terms of the motion, and claimed, in the name of common sense, that he should have the opportunity of ex- amining the information which he had asked tor, and of arriving at a conclusion as to whether any, and what, addition was necessary to the capitation grant On a division the resolution was negatived by 187 to 166. ARMY ESTIMATES. A long and discuroive conversation ensued in which the cost of the British occupation of Egypt, the pro- tection of our coaling stations, mercantile harbours and military ports, the arming of the artillery volunteers, the pay and allowances of staff sergeants of militia, the improvement of the soldier's ration, and the present system of compulsory retirement were in turn discussed. The House having gone into Committee of Supply shortly after midnight, Mr. Campbell-Bannerman made the usual explanatory statement on the Army Esti- mates. The total amount asked for was £ 18,333,200, being an increase of JE482,500 upon the estimates of last year. It was the desire of the military authorities, in common with her Majesty's Government and the country, to reduce as soon and as much as possible the number of British troops in Egypt, and they reckoned upon our army there, which recently numbered 17,350 men, being reduced in the coming year to 8000 men. The recruiting for the army during the past year had been highly satisfactory, 39,970 recruits having been passed into the service. The volunteer force showed a steady improvement in all respects, the increase of E18,000 in the vote being nearly all due to increased Capitation I Grant, there having been close upon 10,000 additional efficients. The right hon. gentleman described the state of the supply and manufacture of guns and other warlike stores, and concluded by moving the vote for the number of the land forces. This haying been agreed to, the sum of JE4,467,300 was voted for pay and allow- ances for the military service, and progress was then reported. The House adjourned at ten minutes past one o'clock.

THE IRISH PROBLEM. I The Earl of Aberdeen was entertained on Saturday evening by the Provost, Fellows, and students of Trinity College in the College dining-hall. After the toast of The Queen" had been given and duly honoured, the Provost gave The Health of his Ex- cellency," which was very warmly received. His Excellency, in reply, after speaking of the pleasure it gave him to dine in that hall, referred to the history of the University, the high standard of excellence maintained there, and the great work of education in which the University had so long taken a leading part. He alluded especially to the admirable school of engineering, an institution not yet possessed by Oxford or Cambridge. The health of the Provost was then proposed by his Excellency. The following document has just been sent to Mr. Gladstone on behalf of the landlords of the County Kerry. It is signed by nine of the principal land- lords, who, in reference to the letter addressed by him to Lord de Vesci, beg leave to offer the following statement as the expression of their views upon the three questions enumerated: 1. We desire to call attention to the state of anarchv and crime at present prevailing in this and other parts of Ireland, as evidenced by murders, robbery, boycotting, raids for arms, mutilation of cattle, &c., and to appeal to the Government for the restoration of order and the protection of the lives and property of loyal and peaceable persons. 2. With respect to the land question, we desire to express our belief that if crime is suppressed, criminal societies dissolved, contracts made binding, and liberty of lawful action between man and man restored, the Land Act of 1881 and the Purchase Act of 1885, supplemented by the necessary further development of their principles, will be found adequate to satisfy all reasonable demands. Considering the large sacri- fices which landowners were obliged to make under the legislation of recent years, we feel that they are entitled to ample protection in the enjoyment of what is left, and if any of them should be called upon to resign that residue wholly or in part that they ought to receive the fullest measure of just compensation. 3. With regard to the demand for Home Rule, we wish to express our conviction that the legislative Union of Great Britain and Ireland as at present existing is essential to the welfare of both islands. Having regard to the condition of disorder to which society has been reduced in Ireland, we look with alarm to the possible results of conceding to the dn- mand for a native Parliament, and believe that to do so would jeopardise property of all kinds. For what- ever safeguards may be provided, the power of taxa- tion in Irish hands, with the relaxation of the law which would certainly follow in all cases where rights of property were in question, would, in our opinion, involve serious danger to owners of every description. Memorandum.-In adopting the conclusions con- tained in the enclosed letter to Mr. Gladstone the persons who signed it were influenced by the follow- ing considerations: 1. That landlords should not recommend any scheme or terms of compulsory pur- chase, as this would imply despair as to a more equitable policy being attainable or residence in Ireland being possible. 2. That no scheme of com- pulsory purchase appears feasible except on Home Rule lines, as to which the strongest objections are expressed in the letter. 3. That even if compulsory I purchase is to be proposed the present is not the time for landowners to offer suggestions, inasmuch as no scheme has been put forward with authority and the present Government may fall before the time for I treating with owners arrives." The usual meeting of the Cork Defence Union took place on Saturday at the offices, 69, South-mall, Cork. A report of business done during the week was laid before the committee. A number of applications were received for assistance in various ways from boycotted persons, and arrangements were made in several cases for their relief. In connection with the boycotting of Mr. John O'Connell it was brought under the notice of the committee that the following placard had been extensively posted in the neigh- bourhood of Ballyclough on the 13th of March "Any person seen speaking to O'Connell, the grabber, or working for him may expect death at any moment. He is boycotted." The following report was al-jo received: "On the morning of the 17th March threatening notices were scattered broadcast on the different roads leading to Millstroet, stating that by direction of Captain Moonlight plenty of lead would be lodged in the body of any one entering the public- house of Mr. Baron Dowse on Saturday opened the Com- mission for the city of Cork. In addressing the grand jury, his Lordship said there were only eight or nine cases of an unimportant nature to go before them. He found on referring to the official records that there have been only four specially reported since the last assizes. At the corresponding period last year there were 14 of such cases reported. The following letter, signed by the Earl of Pem- broke and Lord Bramwell on behalf of the committee of the Irish Defence Union, has just been forwarded to Mr. Gladstone:- "Sir,— In your letter to Lord de Vesci you say you have invited free communication of views from the various classes and sections most likely to supply full and authentic knowledge of the wants and wishes of the Irish people.' As a body of gentlemen, English, Scotch, and Irish, of various creeds and politics, associated for the puiposeof aiding persons suffering from illegal coercion in Ireland, webez to submit the following considerations: In your address soliciting re-election you say that there are three great Irish questions demanding our care —social order, and settlement of the land question, and a widely pre- valent desire for self-government, extending beyond what is felt in Great Britaip, as to local affairs, but necessarily subject in all respects to the law of Im- perial unity.' As to the first of these questions, we can assure you that in the larger part of Ireland social order does not exist. Life is not secure, nor is property. The owner of land cannot let it, because men wishing to take it are not allowed to do so. The principle virtually asserted is that the power (which is often merely the will) o! the particular tenant to pay is the true measure of rent and not the value of the soil. Resistance to those who order this state of things is punished by boycotting, which prohibits all com- munications with the law-abiding, and leaves them in want of all which social older would afford them. This detestable system frequently and naturally pro- duces outrages upon person and property. As to the second question, the condition of things is this The Irish farmers are told, and believe, that agitation will enrich them at the expense of others, and they are thus encouraged to repudiate the Acts of 1870 and 1881, for both of which you, sir, are peculiarly responsible. We respectfully submit that the third question is incorrectly stated. It is not a question of I self- government, beyond what is felt in Great Britain, as to local affairs.' Home Rule in this sense, as repre- sented by Mr. Butt and Mr. Shaw, entirely failed in rousing popular enthusiasm in Ireland. It was only when it was transformed into a cry for legis- lative independence that it became a real power. It is now virtually a question of separation into two States. It has been so stated by those who lead and foment the present disturbances. This is not a desire for self-government beyond what is felt in England for local affairs.. It is not something beyond,' but something wholly different. Sir Robert Peel saw clearly that repeal of the Union would necesaarily lead to separation, and we refer to his great speech on the 25th of April, 1834, for argu- ments which are as conclnsive now as they were then. It is a question of establishing an independent and hostile Satte in front of our most important ports. It is a question of a separation most disastrous to Ireland-a separation which would leave all pro- t perty-owners there to the mercy of those who would think it right to plunder them. The "Loyalists are In a minority throughout tlfft I three southern provinces, and could offer no resist- ance. In Ulster they probably would resist, and might incur the fate of rebels only for adhering to the Constitution under which they were born. Nor can we admit that tbe hatred of England, on which the desire for separation is based. i& well founded, for this generation at least is guilty of no wrong to Ire- land. You are, you say, engaged in forming such an estimate as only a Ministry can form of the social state of Ireland, especially with regard to crime, to the fulfilment of contracts, to the pressure of low prices upon agriculture, and to personal liberty of action.' "The statistics of crime are already in your hands. We are in a position to give many details as to the non-fulfilment of contracts. The fall of prices has doubtless been serious, but we submit that too much will turn out to be attributed to it, and we desire to remind you that rents have already been greatly and permanently reduced. It will be found that a sus- pension of industry and a diminution of honesty are factors in the case. In order to form a correct opinion, it will be necessary to ascertain how far the rents withheld correspond with increased savings, and how far the inevitable loss has been aggravated by the excited condition of the people and the inse- cure state of the country. As to personal liberty of action, it has well nigh ceased to exist, and of this we can furnish many proofs. These indications go to the heart of the question before you, and we venture respectfully to present them to you as likely to assist in forming a correct estimate. "We sign this on the behalf and at the request of the Committee of the Irish Defence Union, and have the honour, to be, sir, your obedient servants, PEMBROKE. BRAllWELL. 22, Charing-cross, March 17." The Daily Chronicle is informed that Mr. Parnell, M.P., has just received a draft £ #r £6000 from New York for the Irish Parliamentary Fund, making ill,000 received from that city alone. The remit- tance is accompanied by a lengthy address to Mr. Parnell from the New York Parliamentary Fund Association, signed by Mr. Eugene Kelly, the banker, and other gentlemen as officials. Having assured the Nationalists leader that members of no less than 17 nationalities are to be found amongst the subscribers, the signatories inform him that the New York daily press heartily endorse the Irish movement, almost without exception." They further assure Mr. Parnell that they hold themselves in readiness to be called together at an hour's notice to provide financial aid for any emergency that may arise in the movement Other associations exist in Philadelphia, Boston, Chicago, and San Francisco, and it is estimated that before the close of the present month the joint sub- scriptions of these centres will reach £50,000. On Saturday, at the opening of the Cork City Assizes, Baron Dowse commented on the small num- ber of bills that were to go before the grand jury. He was in the habit, when addressing grand jurors in the North or the South, to ground his observations on facts and figures officially supplied him. It was not a pleasure to him to paint a gloomy picture of any part of the country. It would be more in consonance with bis feelings to paint a glowing picture. He was an Irishman, whose interests were bounded by the four seas of Ireland. In the words of Davis he prayed, May the Lord God for ever smile with guardian grace upon our isle." However, without the blessing of God, which could be only earned by a strict obedience to His law, the legislative enactments of any Parliament would fail to establish peace, happi- ness, truth, and justice in this realm. Mr. Michael Davitt was on Monday evening enter- tained at dinner by the Political Council of the Man- chester Liberal Club, and subsequently addressed a meeting of its members. He said he believed the time was at band when the English people would no longer be afraid of dealing with the question of Home Rule for Ireland. They ought to Irnow what the Irish people complained of, and what were the maladies to be cured. The two great evils were the Castle rule and landlord administration of the soil. The only remedy for the evils of the Castle system was the sub- stitution of national self-government for Ireland. Every English remedy had been. tried for the griev- ances of Ireland, but all had failed. The Irish wanted the right to manage their own affairs, as the English colonies bad. The Home Rule Constitution for Ire- I land would mean simply this—we should have in Ireland a representative of the Crown, either as a Governor-General or as a Lord-Lieutenant. He would have under his control whatever troops the Imperial Parliament might deem it necessary to allow to remain in Ireland. In addition to this safeguard against any contingency the Imperial Parliament would also probably demand its representative in Ireland a right of veto upon the legislation of the Irish National Assembly. These guarantees would be demanded by the Imperial Parliament, and he bad no reason to believe that Mr. Parnell would refuse to dis- cuss those demands, and to make every possible con- cession to those by whom these demands were put forth. Having maintained that Home Rule would not be detrimental to the political or religious rights of the minority, Mr. Davitt referred to the proposal to buyout the Irish landlords, remarking that they were politically and socially bankrupt. He thought it would be difficult to persuade the English taxpayer, with hundreds of thousands on the point of starvation, to pay a hundred millions for an idle and worthless class m Ireland. Fifty or sixty millions would be amply sufficient.

A BUDDINGMARKTWAIN, The following story comes from a school in the Midlands. The master told the boys of the third class to write a short essay upon Columbus. The following was sent up by an ambitious essayist: Clumbus was a man who could make an egg stand on end without breaking it. The King of Spain said to Clumbus, 'Can you discover America?' 'Yes,' said Cllimbus, 'ifyou will give me a ship.' So he had a ship, and sailed over the sea in the direction where he thought America ought to be found. The sailors quarrelled and said they believed there was no such place. But after many days the pilot came to him and said, Clumbus, I see land.' Then that is America,' said Clumbus. When the ship got near the land was full of black men. Clumbus said, Is this America ?' Yes it is,' said they. Then he said,' I suppose you are the Niggers?" 'Yes,' they said 'we are.' The chief said, I suppose you are Clumbus.' You are right,' said he. Then the chief turned to his men and said, there is no help for it; we are discovered at last.

THE COST OF OCCUPYING EGYPT. A return has been published, so far as it can be given, of the total sums spent by the Imperial and Indian Governments on naval and military opera- ations in or connected with Egypt, on its civil ad- ministration, and on any other matters relating to that country since 1st January. 1882, up to the present time; and also of the officers and men who have lost their lives, and of the number invalided home in consequence of our operations in Egypt between the above-mentioned dates. The amount of expenditure amounts to £9,415,968, and of this sum £5,134,171 was expended in 1882-83, £785,005 in 1883-84, and £3,475,377 in 1884-85. Of the loss of life the return is incomplete. Seventy-nine officers and 1495 men died to June 1, 1885; 28B officers and men of the Royal Navy died up to May 26, 1885 107 of the Indian Contingent died up to July, 1885; and two of the New South Wales Contingent died. Within the same period there were invalided also 68G3 officers and men of all ranks.

LORD CHARLES BERESFORD. We are able to confirm (says the Army and Navy Gazette) the statement that the Chief Commissionership of Metropolitan Police was last week offered to and de- clined by Lord Charles Beresford. Seeing that his lord- ship received no special distinction for his reorganisation of the police after the sacking of Alexandria, and that his recent ten months' work in the Soudan will not count towards the six years' service required before he can hoist bis flag, it may have been that the appointment was intended as some recognition of his merit, and it is said that it was by the express wish of Mr. Gladstone that it was offered. However, it was not a three years' billet, and its acceptance meant renouncing the naval service so Lord Charles, very wisely, as his friends think, declined to have anything to do with it.

THE PIMLICO POISONING CASE. Mrs. Adelaide Bartlett and the Rev. George Dyson, Wea) eyan m mister, were on Friday again brought before Mr. Partridge, on remand, charged, the former with the murder of her husband, Edwin Thomas Bartlett, I by the administration of chloroform about midnight on the 31st of December last, at 85, Claverton-street, Pimlico, and the latter with being an accessory before the fact. Mr. Moloney prosecuted for the Treasury; Mr. Beal represented Mr. Bartlett; and Mr. Lickfold appeared for the Rev. George Dyson. The public interest in the proceedings continued unabated, and the Court and its approaches were thronged. Mrs. Alice Jane Selby Matthews, 6, Frier-road, Dulwich, said she had known Mrs. Bartlett about five years. The latter was then living with her hus- band in Lordship's-lane. Last July she stayed at the house for a week. Had never seen a mcdicine chest in the house. They always appeared to live as man and wife. Mr. Bartlett seemed in good health, she only once having known him to be ill of neuralgia. She heard of the death of Mr. Bartlett on the 1st of January. On that day she went to Claverton-street and into the drawing-room where the body was. Wit- ness then repeated the evidence she had given at the inquest as to Mrs. Bartlett's statement of the circum- stances of her husband's death. The witness asked what Mr. Bartlett had died of. Mrs. Bartlett said she did not know; there must be a post-mortem. Later on they went out to see about Mrs. Bartlett's mourning. Have you told us all that you can recollect about the matter ?—Yes, I think so. I saw Mr. Dyson on the 2nd of January. They came together. Mr. Dyson did not remain long. I was introduced to him. Mrs. Bartlett tjld me that the doctors who had performed the post-mortem examination could not form an opinion as to the cause of death. I recollect seeing Mr. Dyson on the Monday at my house. I let him in—in the morning. He waited until Mrs. Bartlett returned. How long was he with Mrs. Bartlett before you went into the room ?—Only a minute or two. I Did anything cause you to return to the room?—I heard a noise—like somebody stamping. I asked I Mrs. Bartlett what was the matter. It was some time before she would say anything; she was out of temper. She said that Mr. Dyson was bothering her about a piece of paper. The witness heard Mr. Dyson say to Mrs. Bartlett that she said her husband would die soon. Mrs. Bartlett replied, "No, I did not." Mr. Dyson put his head down and said, Ob, my God." She (the witness) then told Dyson he had better go, and OD leaving the room he exclaimed, I am a ruined man." On the Wednesday she saw Mr. Dyson at her own house, and she travelled with him and Mrs. Bartlett as far as Yictoria Station, where they left him. She and Mrs. Bartlett went first to see Dr. Leach, who was not at home, and t then on to Claverton-street, where Mr. Dyson called during the afternoon. She was there about an hour and a half. Could not say if the drawing-room door was locked, but there was no delay in getting in. Mr. Dyson did not go upstairs, he saying that the house was in the hands of tho coroner, and he could not go up. Mr. Dyson, Mrs. Bartlett, and witness then went to Dr. Leach's, where Mrs. Bartlett had a private interview with the doctor. Dyson and witness wailed below, and had some conversation concerning the deceased. She told Mr. Dyson that she had known Mr. Bartlett for somo years, and in answer to questions Eut by him said she had never heard of Mr. Bartlett aving had a long illness, and that if he had been ill for two months she must have heard of it. Mr. Dyson then said Mrs. Bartlett had told him that Edwin had an internal complaint, which got very bad at times also that she had nursed Mr. Bartlett and doctored him and that Mrs. Bartlett also said her husband's delirium was very bad, and she had chloroform to soothe him, and that one of his attacks was coming on again, and she wanted some chloro- form. Mr. Dyson continued, I asked her where she got it from, and she replied, 'Mrs. Annie Walker got it for me. Mr. Dyson then said, I have got it for her." He then asked the witness what he should do, and she replied, You had better come home and see my husband." On the Monday Mr. Dyson told her he bad been to see Dr. Leach. On the Wednesday, when Mrs. Bartlett had an interview with Dr. Leach, she did not say what the result of that interview was. On the Saturday after the death Mrs. Bartlett came with Mr. Dyson and her husband to her house again. Something was said with respect to chloroform by Mrs. Bartlett, who was then staying at her house at Dulwicb. In answer to something Mr. Dyson said, Mrs. Bartlett replied indignantly, Don't mince matters; say I gave him chloroform if you want to/' Could not say if Dyson made any reply. Mrs. Bartlett left her bouse on the 11th, but while there witness had a talk with her with respect to the conversation she had with Dyson at Dr. Leach's. She asked Mrs. Bartlett why she told those lies, and she replied, He bothered me so, and would not believe me if I told him the truth. Asked what was the truth, Mrs. Bartlett replied that Mr. Bartlett ( would die soon, and that she had to back up one lie > by another. She also went on to say that she had had chloroform from Mr. Dyson, and that she had it to soothe Edwin, but had never used it. She did not say where the chloroform was on the night of the death, but she remarked that she had poured it away on the railway, and had also thrown the bottle into Peckham-rye pond on the 6th. There was ice on the pond that day. On the 20th of January Mrs. Bartlett called on her at her house, and said she had been to see Dr. Leach, and that she had asked him about the chloroform; further, that the doctor said if she had given Edwin chloroform by inhalation it would have shown in the brain, and that if she had given it him to drink it would have burnt his throat all down; also that if he had drunk chloroform, his screams would have alarmed the house. Mrs. Bartlett was very fond of children, and it was a great grief to her when her little girl died. Cross-examined by Mr. Lickfold: She went to the inquest at Mr. Dyson's request, and gave nearly the same evidence as she had given that day. She waa in the habit of visiting the Bartletts when they lived at Merton. They used to breed St. Bernard dogs when they lived there. She knew that they were in the habit of studying medicine for doctoring their dogs. Dr. Thomas Low Nichols, of 11, Foxton-road, Earl's-court-road, deposed: I have practised there six or seven years. There is no other Dr. Nichols in the road to my knowledge. I am an American phy- sician, and a graduate of New York University. Since living in Foxton-road my practice has not been an extensive one. I have been in this country 25 years, and have been engaged chiefly in literature. I have written several medical works, and persons occasionally come to consult me, but I did not undertake ordinary practice, having no English qualification. I don't recollect seeing the female prisoner before to-day. I think 1 should have re- membered her face. I have no recollection of any correspondence with her of any kind regarding her- self or her husband. I never knew anyone of the name of Bartlett in this country, but I knew a family of that name in America, and had I received a letter from a person of that name I should have noticed it on that account. I do not know a person of the name of Annie Walker. Mary Ann Furlong, 17, Phipps Bridge-road, Merton Abbey, said she acted as servant to Mr. and Mrs. Bartlett, at their cottage at Merton, from the 1st of January to the 1st of September last year. She did not sleep in the house at night, but went to her own cottage about two o'clock every afternoon. First saw Mr. Dyson there towards the end of July, and during the latter portion of her stay she often saw him. Mr. Bartlett used to leave for business about eight o'clock every morning. Mrs. Bartlett told her that Mr. Dyson had lodged there for three months. In the course of another conversation Mrs. Bartlett told her that her husband did not like women. She had several times cooked for Mr. Dyson, who, during the last fortnight she was there, dined at the house three times a week. Was sure Mr. Dyson and Mr. and Mrs. Bartlett dined together on the last day of August. That was the only occasion on which she had seen the three dining together. When Mr. Dýson had dinner there, she left before he did. He and Mrs. Bartlett were in the drawing-room together when she left for the day. Her husband was employed by Mr. Bartlett to look after the dogs. His hours were from eight to six, but he had nothing to do with the house. The kennel stood away from the house, but it could be seen from the kitchen door. Ann Boulton, of Great Peter-street, Westminster, said she went to Claverton-street on the 1st of January and saw Mrs. Bartlett. She stripped the deceased man and laid him out. Mrs. Bartlett helped her. His legs were tied together with a hand- kerchief. Seeing that she asked if tho man had died in a fit. Mrs. Bartlett said, "Why did you ask ?" and she replied that as his legs were tied she thought he might have struggled. Mrs. Bartiett then said, Oh, no, poor dear, he had been ailing for some time in his head, and from loss of teeth." Some froth came up to the deceased's lips when she turned the corpse over. There was a stain on the pillow case. Mrs. Bartlett asked whether they could compel her to send the body to a mortuary. She replied she did not know, but that they could in infected cases. The lady said it was strange he should have made his will only two or three days before his death. She said, Yes," and asked if it was in her favour. Mrs. Bartlett said, Yes, it was." Whilst she was washing the corpse a letter was brought in, and handed to Mrs. Bartlett, who, on reading, exclaimed, Oh! how cruel; it is a letter from his brother, wishing him a Happy New Year." By the Magistrate: She was not asked to give evidence at the inquest. She was sent to Claverton- street by the undertaker. Annie Best, of Great Peter-street, Westminster, said she went with the undertaker's men on the 3rd of January to Claverton-street, and saw there some sheets and a pillow-case. She noticed there was a sticky sort of froth on the pillow-case. She took them to tho baths, and returned them the next day. Ralph, 375 B, coroner's officer, stated that on the 4th of January he took possession of a number of jars and bottles, medicine bottles, &c., which had been duly sealed. They were handed to the analyst, Dr. Stevenson. Dr. Leach, recalled, said he knew nothing about the tying up of the deceased's legs, as deposed to by Mrs. Boulton; they were not tied when he saw the body at four o'clock on New Year's morning. Mr. Partridge remanded the prisoners until the following day. On Saturday, Mr. Thomas Stevenson, M.D., pro* fessor of medical jurisprudence at Guy's Hospital* &c., one of the analysts employed by the Home Office, deposed: I received from Ralph, the coroner's officer* certain sealed vessels and bottles on the 11th o January last. The contents of the stoppered bottle had an overpowering smell of chloroform. Thl; vessel contained the contents of the stomach. analysed the semi-fluid matter, but before doing sO and after I had noticed the peculiar odour, I tele* graphed to Mr. Leach and wrote to him. I received a telegram in reply. I did not proceed with 011 analysis until after I had received a reply from Mr. Leach. By various tests I was satisfied the contents of the stomach contained chloroform; Ill- grains* besides mango relish. The quantity of chloroform was equal to about nine minims—a greater number of drops. The chloroform present was about 3 Å per cent. of the volume of the liquid. ? Mr. Moloney What else did you find in the fluid- Witness: A trace of alcohol—quite minute. There was no morphia or other alkaloid, in fact no other medicinal substance. Do you know what chloral consists of ?—Yes. This fluid did not contain chloral, nor had it contained any, as far as I can ascertain. What do you say as to chlorodyne. Had the fluid contained that ?—No. I may state it did not contain any poisonous matter except chlorofor m. The fluid obtained from the intestines contained chloroform, and I obtained evidences of it. There was no trace of any other poison. The quantity of chloroform which I found in the intestines was 3-10ths of grain. I tested the mango chutney, and fourd it was free from poison. I tested the stomach itself* and did not detect any unusual smell. It sho"r ed signs of great irritation—that is to say, it was inflamed. The inflammation was both recent and acute, and the appearances I speak of were occasioned before death. The inflammation was especially noticeable towards the cardiac end, and it extended into the gullet, especially at the point where the irritant or corrosive liquid would enter the stomach. I mean at that point where a fluid coming from the gullet would impinge upon the stomach. There the mucous mero- brane waa abraided. Tne condition of that part of the stomach was such as might have been produced by swallowing chloroform. The condition of the tongue and soft parts of the mouth may be described as ratber dry from exposure and decomposed. The gums were horribly foetid, and there was a diseseed bone. The absence of teeth struck me—only two on the right and two on the left. I saw nothing to indt" j. cate that the soft parts of the mouth had been acted upon by an irritant. I tested these parts for mineral poisons, and found minute traces of lead and copper. I could not say that they in such minute quantities would produce injurious results. I could not say whether there was any mercury, because the quan- tity of the material was too small to be able to /l,sser8 > positively its absence or its presence. I also analysed the contents of the various medicine bottles—a great num* ber contained portions of medicine which had been sup" plied to the deceased. There is no obvious difference between chloroform and methylated chloroform. Chloroform would disappear from the body rapidly, and would not have a cumulative effect on the system. I say the same as regards chloral hydrate anji chlo* rodyne. Chloroform is very volatile. Wh6P. taken^. into the system it is very quickly diffused. It spreads^ very rapidly through the blood and tifeues. If ft person died from the effects of chloroform1 swallowed-, it would greatly depend on what time elapsed as to whether detection would be difficult. People have, survived from an hour till eight days after taking, 0 poisonous dose of chloroform, and the post-morteoi appearances would greatly vary according to the period which elapsed before death, the quantity of drug swallowed, and the temperature of the air. If the contents of a stomach containing chlorofproot. were left half-an-hour in an unenclosed vessel, there would be an appreciable difference. Dr. Stevenson, in reply to further questions, said^ Chloroform frequently causes great flnidS^ ^f1 blood, and the blood in this condition will stain the tissues and vessels of the heart. Considering the time that elapsed between the post-mortem and the analysis, and supposing that Bartlett died from 35 to 40 hours before the post-mortem, and considering the quantity of chloroform I found, I am certainly of opinion that there was more of the drug in the stomach at the time of death. From the appearances and what I found, there must have been a very large dose, much greater than any medicinal dose. In fact, w hat I found was larger than that. What should you say as to a fatal dose ? Mr. Lickfold Is that a proper question, sir ? Mr. Partridge Yes, I see no objection to it. ThIS- is a scientific witness competent to give an opinion. Dr. Stevension: Considering the condition of Btomach and the intestines 1 am of opinion a fata* dose of chloroform was taken—that is to say, enough to cause death. I have personal knowledge of the post-mortem appearance of the brain after death frorJ1 inhaled chloroform, but not of chloroform swallowed. I have generally found nothing obvious, but I seen a little congestion. Chloroform inhaled passet into the blood more rapidly than when swallowed. In inhalation it passes to every part of the body through the blood. I have seen people under the influence ol swallowed chloroform, and years ago have made eX* periments on animals. It is possible to administer chloroform by inhalation to persons in natural elee' 80 as to make them in a semi-insensible ^aditM"* while asleep. After a person has got under the influence of haled chloroform, can that person swallow ? Witness Yes, and it is possible to administer liquid to a person in such a condition. What would be the effect of chloroform poured ou. the tongue ? Witness It would have a sweet taste. It would not leave much of an unpleasant effect. I have it. It is £ '">t at the time, but very transitory, Hft"- a minute after the experiment I went on with n lecture. Cross-examined by Mr. Beal as to the analysis of the jaw, Dr. Stevenson said he estimated the copp6^ and lead as sulphides by precipitation and actual weighing. He searched for metallic poiaonØ generally, but ho did not search that portion of the body for organic poisons. He should not expect to detect a minute quantity of mercury like lead or copper. He ought to have had the liver or some int* portant organ if he had to search for mercury. He »8" certained the quantities of chloroform by distilling in warm current of air and converting it into chloride ot silver. It was obvious to the eye that deceased's stomach had been acted upon by an irritant before death. With reference to the intestines, he could say that he obtained a weight of chloride of silver which he kne^ was equivalent to 3-lOths of a grain of chloroform* After proceeding to describe in detail the method of the analysis, the witness said he searched the coo- tents of the stomach for metallic poisons and prussio acid. There was no free mineral or organic acid» He searched for alkaloids and morphia included-In fact, for every poison that could suggest itself. JIe searched very specifically for chloral hydrate. In making these experiments he did not always use a fresh portion of the stomach contents. There was just a trace of this now left still possessing the odouf of chloroform. He made a qualitative but not quan- titative analysis of every bottle containing medicine* &c., removed from the deceased's room. He had personal experience of post-mortem appearances ot poisoning by liquid chloroform. Mr. Lickfold, in cross-examination You have told Mr. Moloney that you tried chloroform on your tongue ? Witness: Yes. I tried it. I put half a teaspoon* ful of liquid chloroform in my mouth, and some rBn down my lips and chin. That was since this case, but I have had chloroform in my mouth before. I did not apply any remedies afterwards, as it was quite unnecessary. I have tried experiments on animals both with inhaled and injected chloroform. I have read Dr. Leach's prescriptions so far as they con' cerned the medicines I analysed. I should say the medicines were for sleeplessness and dyspepsia. The witness was then examined as to recorded opinions on the action of chloroform, chloral hydrate* &c., but nothing important was elicited. In re-examination, Dr. Stevenson said that if the chloroform had been produced in the system chloral hydrate (which had a lemon-like odour'' several grains of formic acid would have been duced and been present with the chloroform. J{e tested for formic acid, and found none. Beside? th»jj there was none of the distinctive lemon smell 0 chloral hydrate about the stomach and There was no trace of such a smell in the stomach- contents. After sitting nearly two hours beyond the ordinary time, Mr. Partridge, at tho conclusion of Dr. Stevenso* evidence, asked what additional witnesses the prose- cution intended to call. Mr. Moloney said Dr. Tidy was in court, and pre- pared to give evidence in corroboration of that gi-veø by Dr. Stevenson. He (the learned counsel) did not propose to take another adjournment for Dr. Tidy evidence, and would call him at the trial—presuming there was a committal—giving the other side notIce of the nature of the testimony which would bØ adduced. Mr. Safford, the chief clerk, having read the vola. minous deposition, Mr. Partridge said too case for the prosecutio" having closed, he could not refrain from saying that the learned counsel representing the Crown had coO' ducted the case with great ability and fairness. ThØ advocates for the prisoners would know that it not his duty to try the case—it was only to see whether there was a prima facie case to put the prisoners on their trial. He considered that there was, and they would be committed to the Old Bailey. Probably after what he had said the legal who represented the prisoners wouid be of opinIOn that it would be in their interest to reserve th defence. Mr. Boal: I am of that opinion. Mr. Lickfold said he did not propose to addre" the oourt. 'btt Mrs. Bartlett, after being cautioned, rose in t dock, and stated I have only to say I reserve JJ1 defence. Prisoners were then committed for trial, ano Partridge refused bail for Dyson, telling Mr. ^i1 fold that he could apply to a judge in chambers 1 thought proper. ¡,

In the love of a brave and faithful man always a strain of material tenderness; he SlveBwerg again those beams of protecting fondness which shed on him as he lay on his mother's knee. George Eliot.